A review of significant molecular mechanisms of flavonoids in prevention of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the third most common cancer among men. Risk factors for prostate cancer contain environmental factors such as diet rich of reactive oxygen species. Epidemiological studies recommend dietary consumption of plant-derived foods may decrease the risk of prostate, colon, pancreas, breast and lung cancers. However, it has been difficult to identify specific components responsible for this effect. Many phytochemicals have been shown to be biologically active compounds and they may act as a protective factor against cancer. Recent researches have revealed that diets based on flavonoids have the potential benefits for cancer prevention. Flavonoids are part of a large class of polyphenols that are found widely in diet. Nowadays, experimental researches have suggested developing proof for the valuable action of flavonoids on multiple cancer-related biological pathways. Although the outcomes of studies about flavonoids and prostate cancer are still limited and conflicting, some protective associations have been suggested for flavonoid-rich foods. The current review presented molecular mechanism of the main flavonoids on prostate cancer. The main mechanisms are in three different directions. These mechanisms contain antioxidant activity and inhibition of DNA damage of its oxidizing agents, anti-cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis

Partial immunity in murine by immunization with a toxoplasmic DNA vaccine

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan that is causative agent of atoxoplasmosis, a disease which may result in a spectrum of consequences. Previous studies have reported that DNA vaccine can be effective in partial protection against this parasite. In this study, we constructed a single DNA vaccine containing rhoptry protein 1 (ROP1) and evaluated its immune response in Balb/c mice. We used alum as an adjuvant to enhance the immune response. After intramuscular injection, we evaluated the immune response using cytokine and antibody assay and mortality rate. The results show that mice immunized by pcROP1 with or without alum produced high Th1 immune response compared with the control groups. This kind of DNA vaccine prolonged survival time. The current study showed that ROP1 DNA vaccine could induce partial protective response against toxoplasmosis.Key words: Toxoplasma gondii, DNA, vaccine, Rhoptry protein 1 (ROP1)

Analyzing the effect of nature on social interaction in urban squares (case examples: squares of Tehran)

One of issues that have been considered in the urban environment is improving the quality of these spaces. Enjoying nature and its elements can play a role in promoting them; this role can be searched in the relationship between man, nature and characterization of natural effects on the built environment and their interactions with each other. Because of the importance of urban environments as one of the most important of this space and their role in the development of society, the focus is on squares and the influence of nature on social interactions and how to respond to some psychological needs of human nature is assessed.In this study, using descriptive-analytical study and library method it was confirmed that vitality and sociability in urban areas, have a significant impact on increasing social interaction and increasing these factors improve urban spaces. By using correlation method and questionnaire and their analysis using SPSS software it was concluded that proper use of designed natural space, has a significant impact on satisfaction, socialization, creating vitality and ultimately increase local identity and social interaction.Keywords: Urban Space, Square, Natural Space, Vitality, Sociability, Social interactio

Motor Responses and Weight Gaining in Neonates through Use of Two Methods of Earmuff and Receiving Silence in NICU

Background and Aims. With technological advances in NICUs the survival rate of preterm infants has been increased. Because NICU environment is a potent source of stress for infants, its modification is an essential measure to decrease infants’ morbidity. The purposes of this study were to compare the effects of wearing earmuff and provision silence for infants on their motor responses and gaining weight. Methods. In a randomized clinical trial 96 preterm infants were enrolled. Their motor responses were evaluated for two consecutive days in the morning and afternoon shifts, in the groups of earmuff and silence, and at similar time points in the control group. Also their weight was measured at days 1 and 10. Results. In the two intervention groups, means of motor responses in infants were significantly less than in the control group, and weight gain of infants was more than the control group. However weight gain was more pronounced in the earmuff group. Conclusion. Both interventions led to decreasing number of motor responses and improvement of weight gain pattern, but these effects were more pronounced in earmuff group; thus because implementation of silence in NICUs has many barriers, it is suggested to use earmuff for preterm infants in these units. This trial obtained IRCT registration number IRCT2012092010812N2

The effect of nature on social interactions in urban squares (Case study: Squares of Tehran)

One of the issues that have been considered in the urban space is improving the quality of these spaces. Using nature and its elements can play a role in promoting them and this role can be sought in the relationship between man, nature and  identification of nature's effect on artificial environment and their interactions with each other. Because of the importance of urban environments and squares as one of the most important of these spaces and their role in the development of society, the focus is on squares the effect of nature on social interactions and the way nature responds to some psychological needs of human is assessed. In this study, using descriptive analytical design and through library research method, it was proved that vitality and sociability in urban areas, have a significant impact on increasing social interaction and increase of these factors improve urban spaces. Using correlation method, questionnaires and analysis of them using SPSS, it was  concluded that the use of natural space with the appropriate design, has a significant impact on satisfaction, sociability, creating vitality and local identity and ultimately increase of social interactions.Key words: urban space, square, natural space, vitality, sociability, social interactions

A preliminary study of the role of nickel in enhancing flowering of the nickel hyperaccumulating plant \u3ci\u3eAlyssum inflatum\u3c/i\u3e Nyár. (Brassicaceae)

Alyssum inflatum is a native of serpentine soils and is able to hyperaccumulate nickel (Ni), but the importance of Ni to reproduction in the species is unknown. We investigated if reproductive fitness is enhanced by Ni in the growth medium, and included a treatment involving a relatively high level of Mg to provide a comparison with elevated levels of another metal. Seedlings were grown in a modified Hoagland solution culture in an inert medium of Perlite and were treated with Ni (100 μM), a high concentration of Mg (5 mM), or under control conditions (solution culture without Ni or the addition of high Mg) for 14 months. We documented survival, as well as the proportion of individuals that flowered. We also quantified flower production as an indicator of plant fitness. Survival was not affected by treatment (87–90% for all treatments), but significantly more Ni-treated plants (63%) flowered compared with Mg-treated (19%) or control plants (12%). In addition, inflorescences per plant, inflorescence length, and number of open flowers per inflorescence were all significantly greater for Ni-treated plants relative to plants from the other treatments. Although high levels of Ni are not essential for growth and reproduction of the species, we suggest that Ni stimulates flowering in A. inflatum and may result in greater fitness for the species on serpentine soils

Determinants of healthcare utilisation and predictors of outcome in colorectal cancer patients from Northern Iran

We aimed to assess healthcare utilisation (HU), its determinants, as well as its relationship with survival in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. This study was conducted on incident CRC cases from Northern Iran. Information on HU was collected using a valid questionnaire, considering eight diagnostic and four therapeutic services. The results were categorised as good and poor HU. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between HU and other variables. Cox regression analysis was performed to determine major predictors of survival. In total, 227 new cases of CRC were enrolled. HU could be assessed in 218 subjects (96). Living in rural areas was the strongest variable related to poor HU (adjusted OR, odds ratio=2.65; CI, confidence interval: 1.30-5.40). The median survival time was 40.5months. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 71, 52 and 44 respectively. Cox regression analysis showed a significant lower survival rate in patients with poor HU (HR=2.3; CI: 1.46-3.64). HU was an independent predictor of survival in our CRC patients. Patients' place of residence was a significant determinant of HU. Regarding its effects on patients' outcome, HU and its determinants should be considered in designing CRC controlling programmes in our region and similar high-risk populations. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

COVID-19 and central nervous system: Entry routes and

Awareness of the current outbreak of Coronavirus Disease - 2019 (COVID-19) affecting the nervous system and identifying its possible ways to enter the Central Nervous System (CNS) are critical for the prevention and treatment of the disease. Hence, the CNS implications of the COVID-19 since the spread of the virus were reviewed in this study. © 2020 Iran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Content Analysis of Articles Published in Iranian Scientific Nursing Journals From 2009 Through 2011

Background: Little is known about the features of Iranian nursing journals, specifically the subject areas used in articles, study designs, sampling methods, international collaboration of Iranian nursing scholars, specialty and academic rank of authors, and the most frequently contributing academic institutions in articles. Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the content of the articles published in Iranian scientific nursing journals. Materials and Methods: Quantitative content analysis was implemented to study Iranian nursing journals, which were approved by the commission for accreditation and improvement of Iranian medical journals in 2011. Thus, 763 articles from six journals, published from 2009 through 2011, were investigated. Data were extracted from the abstracts and when necessary, from the full-text of articles by visiting the websites of these journals. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: The main subjects of published articles in Iranian scientific nursing journals were consecutively renal dialysis (n = 21), intensive care unit (n = 16), nursing education (n = 15), patient satisfaction (n = 13), quality of life (n = 12), health education (n = 11), patient education (n = 11), pain (n = 10), and education (n = 9). The majority of authors had nursing and midwifery specialty (52.59%) followed by epidemiology/biostatistics specialty (7.72%). Isfahan, Tehran, Shahid Beheshti, Iran, Baqiyatallah, and Urmia universities of medical sciences had consecutively the largest number of publications in the studied journals. Only three papers (0.39%) were published by the international collaboration. Conclusions: Iranian nursing journals should publish special issues in the neglected subject areas. These journals should encourage authors to publish research evidence with higher quality

Development and psychometric evaluation of the nursing instructors' clinical teaching performance inventory

Evaluation of nursing instructors' clinical teaching performance is a prerequisite to the quality assurance of nursing education. One of the most common procedures for this purpose is using student evaluations. This study was to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of Nursing Instructors' Clinical Teaching Performance Inventory (NICTPI). The primary items of the inventory were generated by reviewing the published literature and the existing questionnaires as well as consulting with the members of the Faculties Evaluation Committee of the study setting. Psychometric properties were assessed by calculating its content validity ratio and index, and test-retest correlation coefficient as well as conducting an exploratory factor analysis and an internal consistency assessment. The content validity ratios and indices of the items were respectively higher than 0.85 and 0.79. The final version of the inventory consisted of 25 items, and in the exploratory factor analysis, items were loaded on three factors which jointly accounting for 72.85 of the total variance. The test-retest correlation coefficient and the Cronbach's alpha of the inventory were 0.93 and 0.973, respectively. The results revealed that the developed inventory is an appropriate, valid, and reliable instrument for evaluating nursing instructors' clinical teaching performance